10/03/06

ARTS INITIATIVE FOSTERS A SENSE OF PRIDE AND OWNERSHIP AT GREENWICH MILLENNIUM VILLAGE

Brave step by developer, results in residents having real involvement in the look of their public space

Greenwich Millennium Village (GMV), the award-winning scheme which is central to the regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula, has been designed to be a true community of the future. This is mainly due to the efforts that its joint developers, Countryside Properties PLC and Taylor Woodrow, in association with English partnerships, have put into fostering a real sense of belonging among residents. Central to this is the development's innovative Arts Initiative:

"The Arts Initiative at GMV was devised as a great way to bring new residents together and create a feeling of 'ownership' among the residents," explained Caroline Field, former Development Community Officer for GMV, who now works as part of the Moat Housing Group.

"As the entire scheme majors on areas of public open space, GMV decided against simply 'buying in' standard pieces of art or sculpture. Instead they chose to create a community forum by inviting residents to get together and, after seeing various on-site exhibitions by specially chosen artists, the brave step was taken to allow all residents to negotiate between themselves and pick the winning artists to design public artwork in which they have all been involved."

Among the final pieces chosen was 'Boulders', an intriguing ceramic and resin boulder sculpture now sited at Edison Court made by Cookson and McNally Public Art in conjunction with workshops held for local youngsters: 'Blowing in the Wind', is a piece installed at Bequerel Court, by Winchester artist Jane Penty, which featured metal wands and recycled glass; and a resin-made Thames model inset with a variety of items, from earrings, coins and mobile phone cases to CDs and photographs, provided by residents. All pieces of artwork were designed to make the most of public space with high quality creations being sought to instil a feeling of real investment in communal areas:

"This was a unique way to get the community together," enthused Caroline Field. "Instead of simply holding a drinks party for residents to meet each other, GMV went that one step further and actually gave residents a voice in how their new living environment would be. This, together with all the other components of GMV, such as the Ecology Park, community school and architecturally striking new homes has made the development a great and truly unique place to live."

The selling rate of apartments at Union, the current phase of the award winning development GMV, has been consistently high since its launch less than twelve months ago. The last release of this phase is now available for September '06 occupations.

GMV offers a wide choice of apartments and houses for a variety of buyers in a prime Thames-side location where regeneration is widespread. Over the next ten years the regeneration of Greenwich Peninsula is set to further transform the area. In addition to thousands more homes, an infrastructure of restaurants, bars and retail facilities is planned that will create jobs and make a home at GMV an attractive investment opportunity. With London also now named as the winner of the Olympic bid, purchasers have been keen to secure a home here, thanks to the development's close proximity to the Millennium Dome, one of the host venues for the 2012 Olympics.

Purchasers at Union - Greenwich Millennium Village can enjoy a high quality environment set in acres of parkland close to the River Thames. Canary Wharf is also just one stop away on the Jubilee Line from here and it is a short journey into the centre of London.

For full details of properties currently available Greenwich Millennium Village, please telephone 020 8293 6900 or, alternatively, visit the website at www.union-gmv.co.uk.